Multiple roll film camera



Feb. 5, 1952 W D THOMPSON 2,584,373

MULTIPLE ROLL FILM CAMERA Filed Aug. 4, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET l INVENTOR.

WILLIAM D. THOMPSON adm-neg s Feb. 5, 1952 W. D. THOMPSON MULTIPLE ROLL FILM CAMERA Filed Aug. 4, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM D. THOMPSON Patented Feb. 5, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE MULTIPLE ROLL FILM; CAMERA William D.' Thompson, San Diego, Calif.

Application August 4, 1947, SerialNo. 7 65,921

(Cll 95-31) 5 Claims.

l The principal' invention relatesl generally toa camera which may utilize one or a plurality of lms'arranged for selective exposure, and as an example and not as ya limitation to two film cameras of the type in my United States Patent No.

2,315,284, issued March 30, 1943y on a Multiple' Film Carrying Camera. While certain features ofthe present' invention arezspecifcaliy-related to two lm cameras vof the' type shown herein, other features of the present invention may be present in cameras which are arranged to expose but one film.

An object of the rpresent invention is to provide an; improved camera characterized by its simplicity and ease of manufacture and of the type in which a lens' systemmay beselectivelyfpositioned'for-projecting scenes onto. either one or. two film strips having their planes. in back-to-back relationship but separated by a light barrier such that the camera may beloaded with, forexample, color/film and also'blacky and White lm and ex' posures,` made on either one of thesetwovfilms according to the desiresof the operator.

Stillfanother'object of the present rinvention is toprovide an improved roll `film camera-having a'- single opticalex-posure system adapted upm-rro-r tation on the camera case forselective exposure 0f. frames of vdifferent types of lms having their planes disposed in back-to-back relationship and.

separated by alight barrier.

Yet another object of the present inventionv is to provide an improved camera of the type' specified in the next preceding object but ar rangedso that the. hlm Aitselfis rotated intoposition for exposure andthe opticalexposure system isfmounted stationarily on ythe cameralframe.

Yet,v another object of thepresent invention is to provide an improved unitary camera in which thelm supply spool, the shadow box or exposure frame, a portion the film ktransport mech-k anism and the take-up reel are alimountedon unitary structure inseitable and removable a unit from the carriera.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved'camerahavingapair of `films with their planes in back-to-baok'relens systemrfrom.` case: and the necessity of' providing expensive self-closing light type'gates` which,V are valways subjectv to mal-function.'

, Fora further determinationiof the knovel fea'-` tures whichI have incorporated in cameras. of'

this type,` reference is made tomy co-pending 'ap'- plication Serial No. 762,029, filed J uly.19'; 1947v for.vr

2, Camera with Film Spools atRight Anglesv to' One Another.

The features of." the present invention whichv are believed to be' novel arev set forth with particularity inthe appended claims.` This inventionl itself, both' as'to its' organization andmanneror operation,y together with further objects and ad'- vantages thereof, maybe best understood by refierence to theifollowing description taken in'con'- nection' with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1' is aview infront elevation'of a'camera embodying the' present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially' on the line 2-2 of Figurer 1.

Figure 3 ris a sectionalview-taken substantially on the line 3'-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a'viewA in top plan elevation of a' portion ofthe camera' shown-in Figure' 3`withdrawn from the camera'case.

Figure 5 is a sectional 'view taken substantiallyy on the line 5--5 of/Figure 1".

Figure '6' is asectionalview taken substantially' on the line 6--6`of FigureA 7l Figure '7 'is' a viewv in side lelevation of the rotor' upon'which the negative carrier is mounted in' the camerashown in Figurel.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of'a portion'of' the rotor 'shown in Figure'lwith a part thereof" fragmented to show more clearly a portion'of the' frame counter actuating mechanism.

Figure' 9' is an enlarged sectional view showing.' in more detail, structure ofthe frame counter' mechanism. k,

- Figure' lois aaviewtaken' substantially on the'l line ID--I 0 of Figure 9.

Figure'll'is a' view'in'front elevation'ofa modiii'ed' camera' structure embodying the presentinvention.

Figure' 12 is alongitudinal sectional view taken` substantially `on" the lin'e' i 2-i 2 ofl Figure l1, andl indicates' the" manner inv which` the" optical exp'osure'system' may` be' rotated" into position' on th'ecamera frame.

Figure' 13 is. a# top plan view of the camera' shown in Figure 11;l

Figuresfll and `l51show side end views'respecv tively 'of the unit shown `in Figure'4;

Figure 16 is a, sectional View taken substantially' on th'e line-l 6-I 6'of Figure 11.

The two cameras shown herein are unitary compact roll film' cameras; each having `two indi-'- vidual'lrn'compartments which may each contain film of' different characteristics with' the film are rangedl in back=tob`ackfrelationship and' sep-f arate'd by 'a' lightY barrier for 'selective' 'exposure'by" Preferably, the camera incorporates therein a focusing tube arranged with its axis substantially parallel to the nlm planes to aid in properly focusing the optical system. Referring more particularly to the camera shown in Figures 1 through inclusive, the camera has a frame or case I@ in which there is a rotatable rotor element il. This rotor element II is mounted in spaced light-tight bearings I2 and I3 at opposite ends of case ID with a knob I4 on the rotor shaft I5 to position the rotor II with respect to the conventional type of optical exposure system I6 mounted on the front face of the camera. The constructional details of the rotor element I I are rather important and are described now in detail. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the rotor Il shown therein comprises a pair of arcuate bearing members I1, I8 arranged to slide within the circular housing member I9 (Figure 2) on the camera frame ID, a rectangular member joining the arcuate members I'I, I8 and serving, as will be evident later, as a light barrier. The member 2U has extending therethrough a focusing tube 2I which may be axially aligned with the optical exposure system I6 and the aperture 2I in the rear face of the camera frame I0. The arcuate shaped members l, I 8 each have a longitudinally extending groove 2l therein, arranged to maintain in quickly attachable and detachable engagement the negative nlm carrier 22 which is described in detail later. Also, the rectangular member 2E has rotatably mounted thereon a ratchet wheel 22A carrying on its upper face a spring biased pawl member 23 for moving either one of the frame counters 24, 25.

When the rotor II is mounted in the camera frame I (I, the rectangular joining member 20 serves to divide the interior of the case Ill into two separate chambers 25, 26. The position of these chambers 25, 26 changes, of course, when and as the rotor il is rotated. Two negative nlm carrier mechanisms 22 are mounted on opposite sides of the light barrier 20 with the projections 2l thereon slidably mounted in the grooves 2I. Either one of these negative nlm carriers 22 may be inserted and removed from nlm taking position in the camera case IU by simply opening the corresponding hinged door members 28, 29 on case Ii] and then sliding the negative carrier 22 with respect to the rotor.

. Each negative carrier is a unitary structure comprising suitable nlm supply reel holding structure 30, shadow box 3I, nlm take-up mechanism 32, rotatable sprocket wheel 33 and` a spring pressed pressure plate 34 arranged to engage and resiliently press the perforated edges of nlm tautly against the edges of the shadow box. When the carrier 22 is inserted in operative position on the rotor II, the outside surface of the pressure plate 34 bears against the light partition member 20 to press spring members into engagement with the edges 0f the shadow box. Thus, nlm in its passage from the supply reel passes over the shadow box 3l over the sprocket wheel 33 to rotate it with its attached pawl member 48 and is then wound on the take-up reeel 32.

The take-up reel 32 may be rotated by the take-up knob 4I to produce this motion of nlm from the supply 30 to the take-up reel 32 and may be selectively placed into engagement with the take-up reel for this purpose when mounted in accordance with the structure shown in Figure 5. In other words, the nlm take-up knob 4I may be moved into engagement with the takeup reel 32 to rotate it in exactly the same manner as does the nlm rewind member 42 engage the nlm supply reel 30. The manually operable nlm rewind member 42 is mounted for rotation on the camera case II) with its inner end movable into position to engage the reel 30 to rotate it when desired and may be held in such position by the spring detent means 43. When it is desired to rotate rotor II with the nlm carriers 2 mounted thereon, the manually operable control members 4I and 42 are raised to a position corresponding to the position wherein the spring biased ball forming a part of the detent means 43 engages the bottom groove 44, in which case rotational movement of the rotor II is not impaired by members 4I and 42. When the nlm is being transported from the film supply reel 30 to the nlm take-up reel 32 or vice versa, the sprocket wheel 33 is rotated as well as the pawl member 40. The pawl member 40 serves to rotate the frame counter 24, 25 depending upon the angle or position of the rotor II. When the rotor I I is rotated for exposure of either one of the two nlms, the pawl member 40 is brought into cooperative relationship with the ratchet wheel 22A rotatably mounted on the light partition 20 to cause it to move the spring biased pawl 23 angularly. This spring biased pawl member 23 cooperates with its ratchet member 5U on the same shaft as is the frame counter 24.

In operation of the camera shown in Figures l through l0 inclusive, the nlm is loaded on a negative carrier 22 with the leader of the nlm passing over the sprocket wheel 33 and onto the take-up reel 32. The loaded nlm carrier 22 is then inserted through the open door 28 or 29 as the case may be into holding engagement on.

the rotor I I. The doors 2B and 29 are then closed and the knob I4 rotated to bring the desired nlm into position for exposure by the optical exposure system I6, It is apparent that the knob I4 must be rotated one-half a. revolution in order to position a dinerent nlm for exposure. When it is desired to focus the optical exposure system I 6, the knob I4 is rotated 90 degrees from its position corresponding to picture taking position, in which case the focusing tube IIJ is brought into alignment with the optical exposure system I6 and the normally covered aperture 2I on the back face of the camera. This aperture 2I is, of course, normally closed by a quickly positionable closure member 5I of conventional type.

Of course, when the knob I4 is thus rotated to position this nlm or to align the focusing tube, the knobs 4I and 42 must be pulled upwardly to their retracted positions out of engagement with the nlm supply reel and nlm take-up reel.

If desired, the camera may be provided with a View nnder 52 mounted on its upper horizontal face.

' It is further apparent that the manual control knobs 4I, 42 may serve as indexing means for the rotor II or, if desired, conventional spring biased detent means of conventional type may be interposed between the knob I4 and the adjacent face of the camera case I0.

In the modined camera structure shown in Figures l1 through i3 inclusive, the single optical exposure system I6 is rotated insteadof the nlm. Otherwise, the operational features and certain constructional features are identical in both cameras shown herein and for that reason corresponding parts have identical reference numerals.

ratsam-3 .In Figures llthroughlS, the optical exposure system I6 is mounted on the drum-'shaped khousing member 65! which is rotatably mountedon the camera case I0, while the nlm carrieris stationarily mounted with the frame l in sliding `engagement in grooves 2| .inthe stationary member Il. For the sake of simplicity, the-negative carriers of identical structure shown in Figure 4 is omitted from `Figure 12, but .the position of the lm is indicated bythe dotted line 53 corresponding to the focal plane of the voptical yexposure system I6.

In operation of the camera shown .in Figures 11 through 13, nlm isV loaded in the negative car'- rier 22 as described above and the film. carrier is moved as a unit into the camera through the open doors 28, v2:3. The optical exposure-system-l6 is theny rotated on the 'frame I0 into position to expose the desired nlm. if exposure of the other nlm is desired, it is necessary to rotate'the exposure system l through an angle of 180` degrees and, if it is desired to obtain an image Von the vgroundglass screen .in the focusing tube, it `is necessary to rotate the optical exposuresystem I5 through an angle of 9i) degrees from a picture taking position, in which case the focusing tube 2| is aligned with the optical exposure system [Sand-the aperture 2| which is normally closed .i

yby the positionable closure member 5I.

Conventional means may be utilized to prevent the drum shaped members() from sliding to the right or left in Figures 11 and 13. For example, aguide pin on member BG may, for this purpose, ,project intoa cooperating annular guide groove in the case I0, or the same purpose may be accomplished by the structureshown in Figure-16 wherein the drum member k5l) comprises two halves which are joined together by apress .t pin connection as shown.

While the camera shown in .Figures 1 through inclusive requires Yonly one lm take-up knob 4|- and one rewind knob 42 for both nime, it is apparent .that in the camera structure shown .in

Figures l1 through 13 inclusive a pair of such knobs 4I, 42 is required for each lm. v

Referring again to the camera structure rshown in Figures l through 10, inclusive, the rotor member shown in Figure 8 may be a die casting with elements 25, I'! and I8 integrally formed. .It is noted that the :member 2D need .not r,provide-a completely light tight partition. lAs a .matter of fact, the partition is not light tight since itis necessary that it clears the lm winding shafts when the rotor is turned. However, exposure of one .hlm through theoptical exposure system does not .cause exposure of the otherr nlm even though the two compartments are notflig'ht tight from each other. Allhsis so since the .optical exposure system directs acontrolled beam or" light that is directed .to its Ifocal plane through the shadow box. In such case, an unpredictable amount of light travels around and enters the other shadow .box on the other side of the partition.

However, if one or the other of the doors 28,329 is opened, some light, in such case, could travel over the top of the central partition'Z) of the rotor.

If it is'deemed advisable to have the "camera constructed .sothat .either one ofthe twolnega-j tivev carriers could be withdrawn from fits compartments 'through itsdoor 1in the camera oase without admitting any light to the other com-A partment, then .the negative carrier itsel'fs made light tight. This may be easilyaccomplishedby `spool 3D to the pressure plate and,` also by covering the film at the other side in'its travel from the pressure plate to the take-up .spool 32.- This cover .may be suitably shaped metalA parts `stamped to vform and tted to the carrier. This stamping, in such case, completely surrounds .the take-up spool so that'after the film is once'loaded, the only portion of the film that may be exposed to light is that `portion directly under the pressure plate and facingthe lens,` all other `parts of the nlm lying under being protected from light by the stamping described above. In suchcase, if all of the film in one of the camera compartments is used before the nlm in the other compartment, the door of the rst mentioned compartment may be opened and the negative carrier therein withdrawn for reloading without any light reaching theillrn in the other compartment. In such case vaccess may be had to the nlm on the supply reel through they hinged member 30A vwhich normally maintains the supply spool in place, which of course `overlaps the negative carrier frame at the top and bot tom andin the modified .light tight structure also slightly overlaps the above mentioned metal cover stripping to provide a light tight cover. At the other ortake-up spool end there maybe a hinged member 39A to surround the take-up .spool to maintain this end light-tightalso. This whole assembly need not be light-tight to such anextent as to protect the film .when the carrier is outof the camera since the carrier is normally out only for the purpose of loading or unloading, .in

7; which caseit need belight tight only `to Atheex a minimum. amount `of light traveling in an angled path, andfsince it is always advisable to load or unload any camera insubdued light. Usually, instructions for present day cameras stress theimportanceof loading and unloading filmin subdued light and of course, if theuser of the camera shown-herein `is careful to follow this advice, this radditional light protection is :not

necessary but is advisable to cover lall conditions.

While the particular embodiments ofv they present inventionhave been shown and described,` it willbe obvious to those skilled in theartwthat changes and modifications may be-made without departing from this invention in its broader aspectsand, therefore, zthe aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and-modifica tions as fall withinfthe true spirit'andascopeof this invention.

I. claim:

. 1. -In a .'camera, :the combination 'of `a camera frame, a. rotor rotatably mounted within-said frame, ya plurality -of unitary negative carrier structures quickly attachably Aand `detachably mounted on saidrotor e1ement,.-an optical exposure Asystem mounted on -said camera frame, and means arranged to rotate said rotor-whereby one of said negative lm carriers may be moved into cooperative position with respect tosaid optica-l exposure system, each one of said plurality of unitary negative carrier structures comprising: a supply spool and a take-up spool mounted on opposite -sides of a 'shadow vbox on said Lcarrier structure,V each of said carrier structures being slidably movablein said rotor elementinafdirec-` camera frame for movement from a retracted position to a position in operative engagement respectively with said take-up spool and said supply spool, said take-up knob and rewind knob, when -in retracted position, allowing rotatable movement of said rotor, and when in engagement respectively with said supply spool and take-up spool preventing rotatable movement of said rotor.

2. A camera adapted for the selective exposure -of a plurality of film strips, said camera having separate lm compartments for each of said strips, a single optical exposure system stationarily mounted on the camera frame, said film compartments being mounted for rotation on said camera to position said film within said compartments in position for exposure by said stationary single optical exposure system, said separate film compartments each comprising a negative film carrier supporting a supply spool and also a take-up spool on opposite sides ci a shadow box, said negative carrier being slidably mounted in a modified barrel-shaped member arranged to rotate within the camera frame about the axis of the barrel, said negative carrier being vreleasably and slidably mounted in said barrelshaped member in a direction substantially parallel to the barrel axis and in the direction of the plane of the film fed from the supply spool to the take-up spool, a film take-up knob and a .'1

film rewind knob each having their shafts both rotatably and longitudinally movable in said camera frame for movement from a retracted position to a position in operative engagement respectively with said take-up spool and said 2.,

supply spool, said take-up knob and rewind knob, when in retracted position, allowing rotatable movement of said barrel-shaped member, and when in engagement respectively with said supply spool and take-up spool preventing rotatable movement of said barrel-shaped member.

I 3. A camera arranged for the selective exposure of a plurality of film strips, said camera having two separate film compartments arranged to support film in back to back relationship with a light barrier therebetween, a single optical exposure system stationarily mounted on the camera frame, said film compartments being rotatably mounted within said camera frame for cooperation with said optical exposure system, said film strips when in position for exposure being substantially equidistant from the center of rotation of said film compartments, said separate film compartments each comprising a negative film carrier supporting a supply spool and also a take-upspool on opposite sides of a shadow box, said negative carrier being slidably mounted in a modified barrelshaped member arranged to rotate within the camera frame about the axis of the barrel, said negative carrier being releasably and slidably mounted in said barrel-shaped member in a direction substantially parallel to the barrel axis and in the direction of the plane of the film fed from the supply spool to the take-up spool, va film take-up knob and a film rewind knob each having their shafts both rotatably and longitudinally movable in said camera frame for movement from a retracted position to a position-in operative engagement respectively with said takeup spool and said supply spool, said take-up knob and rewind knob, when in retracted position, allowing rotatable movement of said barrel-shaped member, and when in engagement respectively with said supply spool and take-up spool preventing rotatable movement of said barrelshaped member.

4. A camera arranged for the selective exposure of a plurality of film strips, said camera having two separate film compartments arranged to support film in back to back relationship with 4a light barrier therebetween, a single opticalexposure system stationarily mounted on the camera frame, said film compartments being rotatably mounted within said camera frame for cooperation with said optical exposure system, said film strips when in position for exposure being substantially equidistant from the center of rotation of said film compartments, said separate film compartments each comprising a negative film carrier supporting a supply spool and also a take-up spool on opposite sides of a shadow box, said negative carrier being slidably mounted in a modified barrel-shaped member arranged to rotate within the camera frame about the axis of the barrel, said negative carrier being releasably and slidably mounted in said barrel-shaped member in a direction substantially parallel to the barrel axis and in the direction of the plane of the film fed from the supply spool to the take-up spool, a light tube mounted on said lm compartments for movement therewith relative to said camera frame, said light tube extending through said light barrier with the axis of said light tube perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said film compartments for movement into aligned position with said optical exposure system.

5. A camera adapted for the selective exposure of a plurality of film strips, said camera having separate film compartments for each of said strips, a single optical exposure system stationarily mounted on the camera frame, said film compartments being mounted for rotation on said camera to position said film within said cornpartments in position for exposure by said stationary single optical exposure system, said separate film compartments each comprising a, negative film carrier supporting a supply spool and also a take-up spool on opposite sides of a shadow box, said negative carrier being slidably mounted in a modied barrel-shaped member arranged to rotate Within the camera frame about the axis of the barrel, said negative carrier being releasably and slidably mounted in said barrel-shaped member in a direction substantially parallel to the barrel axis and in the direction of the plane of the film fed from the supply spool to the takeup spool, a light tube mounted on said barrelshaped member for movement therewith relative to said frame, the axis of said light tube being perpendicular to the axis of the barrelshaped member, for movement into aligned relationship with said optical exposure system.

WILLIAM D. THOMPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 904,005 Niell Nov. 17, 1908 1,682,873 Victor Sept, 4, 1928 1,984,420 Moulin et al Dec. 18, 1934 2,245,606 Rausch June 17, 1941 2,315,284 Thompson Mar. 30, 1943 2,356,284 Stockdale Aug. 22, 1944 2,439,112 Teague Apr. 6, 1948 

